Overview & Reviews

Introduced in the mid 2000s just as gas prices were beginning to race skyward, the Honda Fit immediately became a hit with frugal car shoppers. A subcompact four-door hatchback, the Honda Fit has earned praise for its world-class engineering and design, and it has definitely found its niche with consumers, particularly with the second-generation model. With either generation, you'll find crisp handling, an adaptable interior, high-quality fit and finish and a relatively low price. An all-new third-generation Fit is also on its way. For small-car shoppers, the Honda Fit represents an almost ideal package.

Current Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is available in two main trim levels: base and Sport. Both come with a fuel-efficient 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 117 horsepower and 106 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a five-speed automatic transmission being optional. Paddle shifters are included with the automatic for the Sport version. Fuel economy is respectably good with either transmission.

On the base Fit, air-conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry a tilt-and-telescoping steering column and a four-speaker audio system with a CD player, auxiliary audio jack and iPod/USB audio interface are standard. The Honda Fit Sport gains bigger wheels, sportier exterior trim details and a six-speaker audio system. Fit Sports can also be optioned with a touchscreen navigation system that includes Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and voice controls.

The Fit is Honda's smallest automotive product, but it nearly matches the total passenger space of the larger Civic sedan. To help achieve this, Honda has installed a compact rear suspension design and placed the fuel tank underneath the passenger seat. Another key advantage for the Fit is its innovative, highly versatile rear seating arrangement. The "Magic Seat" has seatbacks that fold flat and seat cushions that can be flipped upward, creating a tall load area right behind the front seats -- sort of like a crew cab pickup's rear seats. Maximum cargo capacity is an impressive 57 cubic feet.

In reviews, we've found the Honda Fit to be a pleasure to drive for a frugal subcompact. The car has a solid feel to it, countering the perception of vehicles in this class as tinny econoboxes. Generally speaking, the Honda Fit continues the model's tradition of providing serious bang for the buck, and its combination of driving dynamics, polish and big-time practicality distinguish it from the competition.

Used Honda Fit Models
The current second-generation Honda Fit debuted for the 2009 model year. No notable changes occurred until 2012, when it received minor styling updates, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, added sound insulation and an upgraded Bluetooth system with streaming audio capabilities.

The first-generation Honda Fit was available for just two years: 2007 and 2008. It came in two trim levels with no factory options available. The base version adhered to a minimalist philosophy, though it still came standard with air-conditioning and a CD player. The uplevel Sport trim was snazzier and, predictably, we favored it. It featured larger, 15-inch alloy wheels, stickier tires, exterior styling pieces, keyless entry, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a premium MP3-compatible audio system with an auxiliary audio jack.

The Fit stuck to the Honda playbook when it came to interior controls, which were intelligently designed and utilized high-quality materials. For a subcompact, the first-generation Honda Fit was surprisingly roomy and versatile. Chalk much of that up to the car's specialized second-row, 60/40-split seat design. The rear seats could be placed into four different configurations, depending on passenger or cargo needs. Folding the rear seat flat provided a surprising 41.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Both trim levels were front-wheel drive and were equipped with a 1.5-liter, 109-hp four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, and a five-speed automatic was optional. Fit Sports with the automatic also had steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.

We found the first-generation Honda Fit to possess an enviable driving-fun-to-thrift ratio. Cornering and acceleration were crisp. The subcompact could achieve 0-60-mph sprints in fewer than 10 seconds with either transmission. Fuel economy was commendable, and safety was good. The whole thing was almost perfect. Almost. The main downside was that although the car seemed less tinny than other cars in its class, at highway speeds the engine made its presence known. The lack of a telescoping steering wheel could also be an annoyance for taller drivers. But on balance the first-generation Honda Fit provided about as much fun, satisfaction and value as you could find in a small economy car.

User Reviews:

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  A two FIT family! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Janice Huffer - January 13 - 11:46 am

  I researched a lot of different cars for my husband to drive since he works away from home. His truck was going to be going to our daughter for her first car. The fuel economy, interior space, and safety features sold me on the car. Had to wait 3 weeks to get it, but we loved it. Daughter got that one! Husband got the second one! We are officially a two FIT family! White and Storm Silver. Both very pretty. It holds my daughtes stand up bass with both front seats up!!! I was impressed. She also has to transport her stool along with her bass. She has room to spare!

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  Should have got a Fit instead of the Fiesta 4 year - 2016 Honda Fit
  By Chris Sanchez - January 9 - 6:14 pm

  The newer model of Fit get better gas mileage and looks a little sportier. My only real complaint is the lack of entertainment center options and lack of support for Android Auto and similar products.

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  Hondas little roller skate! - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Yormsane - January 8 - 11:15 pm

  The Fit is a great urban runabout that was purchased to replace a 2002 Corolla. Reliability has been 100% over the first 30,000 miles. Comfortable front seats, easy gear change with the 5-speed stickshift. Engine is a bit short on torque, but then its only a 1.5 liter. The OEM Dunlop tires were awful, and only lasted 18,000 rough and noisy miles. The replacement set of Coopers have been much smoother, quieter and better in the snow. Hondas fueling systems are so good that the car runs at 3,000 feet or 11,000 feet without any discernible difference. Would have bought the base model, but cruise control was not available - even as an option.

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  Great city car, not bad all-around - 2009 Honda Fit
  By TomB - December 26 - 11:43 pm

  We got this looking for a cheaper and more versatile replacement for a Lexus IS, and have been very pleased. Fit-and-finish are excellent despite some cheap materials. Weve been getting ~30 MPG in city driving, and got 33 on a highway trip with two adults, two kids in car seats, and luggage. The transmission needs to downshift to maintain 70 MPH on steeper grades, but does so pretty unobtrusively. More hamsters under the hood wouldnt hurt. Road noise is OK for the price. Low-speed handling is excellent, but the Fit feels tall in tight turns at speed. Navi is very easy to use. The USB connector works fine with iPhone and a 1st-gen iPod nano.

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  Commuting Vehicle - 2009 Honda Fit
  By Mike - December 25 - 8:36 am

  After a month of hour long commuting each day Im satisfied with purchase of vehicle but wish it had more power and a more comfortable front seat. Cars whiz by me going uphill and by the end of the drive my back is tender. On the positive side, gas mileage has been better than advertised and the hatchback storage with fold down back seats is great for suitcases to the airport or golf clubs. Caution against purchasing black like I did as vehicle gets hot inside during warm weather with the dark upholstery and large glass windshield and windows.

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  I love my 07 Honda Fit Sport 5-speed Man - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Dan J. - December 24 - 10:36 am

  I purchased my Storm Silver Fit Sport 5 speed manual on April 21, 2006. I purchased the car as it was being unloaded from the delivery truck. I have driven 8000 miles in the 5 months I have owned this car. Have had no mechanical problems. The only real "problem" I have had is with the windshield wipers. The wipers have been changed twice by the dealer & both sets "jump" accross the windshield when I use them. I plan on having them changed again. A few things I dont like about the Fit are: 1. The car could use another 15-20 horse power & as much more torque. 2. No center console.3. No sunroof. 4. Configuring seats into "lounge mode" could be easier. 5. Rear seat head rest could be smaller

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  Wow, almost the perfect minicar. - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Talulah - December 20 - 3:40 am

  My first real trip in wifeys new Storm Silver Fit sport automatic was a combination of surface streets during afternoon rush with high speed expressway on the return trip. Total ride was 140 miles in one sitting. My car is an Audi A6 3.2 Quatro. This Fit Sport is as quiet and rattle free, CD player is nearly as nice. Interior is completely acceptable, build quality as nice, paint is quite good. The car handles bad roads and X-way ramps better than the Audi. Whats wrong? The accelerator pedal is uncomfortable to work at low speeds and the engine needs better mounts or engine balance shafts. It is buzzy when its working hard. Thats pretty often. Sunroof please?

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  Cant Be Beat - 2009 Honda Fit
  By jousai7 - December 19 - 11:20 am

  Great car, very happy. Bought one two days ago and have put 500 miles on it. The seats are stiff but supportive and i have no issues with long drives. The suspension is stiff but i enjoy the control the vehicle has. It feels sporty enough for getting 39 mpg on my first tank. Really enjoy the interior space. For the amount you spend on this car its worth every cent. I would definitely suggest the manual over the automatic, those paddle shifters were interesting but hardly useful.

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  Mileage disappointing - 2008 Honda Fit
  By captrgc - December 19 - 8:53 am

  Sold my Tacoma when the gas prices were high and bought this car because it was so well rated. I am sorry to say that after 5000 miles, I have not been able to achieve more than 30 MPG and the last 2 tanks gave me only 27 MPH... not enough to justify the loss I took trading in my 20 MPG truck.

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  I love my Fit - 2008 Honda Fit
  By Honda Lover - December 18 - 7:40 am

  I love my Fit. It is a great car that has more room than you would think by looking at it from the outside. Once you fold the rear seats down you have all kinds of room. My family and I have used it for weekend trips and we have plenty of room for everything. It has decent power but if you looking at this car of HP you are looking in the wrong place. It is a great everyday driver and I have never got under 30 mpg in the city.